Bridging the gap: Implementing a pilot radiology-focused curriculum in an acute care Nurse Practitioner program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology Nursing
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Background:

• Diagnostic radiology and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) are crucial for acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) in inpatient settings, particularly in critical care and interventional radiology.
• Current ACNP training programs often lack comprehensive content in these essential areas, creating an educational gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the educational deficit in radiology and POCUS for ACNPs.
• To design and implement a pilot course focused on radiology and POCUS for ACNPs.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and student satisfaction of the implemented pilot course.

Main Methods:

• A pilot acute care radiology course was developed and delivered.
• The course utilized a flipped classroom instructional approach.
• Hands-on simulation activities were led by expert faculty.

Main Results:

• The pilot course received high student satisfaction ratings.
• Participants reported increased self-confidence in their radiology and POCUS skills.
• Students perceived the course as highly effective in enhancing their knowledge and abilities.

Conclusions:

• The pilot course successfully addressed the identified educational gap in radiology and POCUS for ACNPs.
• The implemented curriculum aligns with key competencies set by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
• This educational model shows promise for advancing ACNP training in essential radiology content.